Arunachal CM reviews flood situation, may make aerial survey

Itanagar, Jul 27: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu convened a high-level emergency meeting here to review the flood situation in the state which remained grim in four districts.

The meeting took place last night upon his arrival from New Delhi. Underscoring the need for preparedness to tackle any disaster kind of situation in an effective way, Khandu asked all the departments to coordinate and work out a state emergency mitigation plan under the supervision of the chief secretary, an official communiqué said here today.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said the flood situation in Namsai district is severe due to change in the course of Nao-Dihing river which has diverted some 2000 metre towards Mahadevpur town. He said if the changed course of the river is not redirected the situation may further worsen in Mahadevpur town and parts of Namsai.

The Chief Minister is slated to make an aerial survey of flood-hit districts of Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit and Changlang besides Namsari whenever the weather improves.

He further directed the disaster management department to issue instructions to the districts authorities to provide sufficient relief materials, essential commodities and basic requirements like drinking water to the flood-affected people.

He said in case of exigencies, defence sorties would be put into service for air dropping of commodities to the areas where surface communication has snapped.

Khandu further directed to provide medical assistance to the affected people, the communiqué said. Issuing strict directives to district administration and disaster management department, Khandu said, "No human life should be lost for which extra precautionary measures and care should be taken."